Chatting with Cassandra Bankson has been one of my favorite interviews to date. We instantly connected over our struggles with acne, love of skin care, cats, and all things beauty.

As a vegan animal lover, all of the products Bankson uses are vegan and cruelty-free. Looking for vegan and cruelty-free alternatives to your favorite products? She’s your girl. When it comes to skin, she knows what she’s talking about.

Bankson is a breath of fresh air and a beautiful person—inside and out. 

Our time together flew by and I truly felt like I was talking to a lifelong friend. She followed up our interview by sending me a care package full of skincare products. Wait. What? She truly could not have been nicer or more kind.

I had so many questions for her about life, skin, and secrets to success—we could have talked all day. Here’s what she had to say:

How she got started in her career: Bankson has struggled with acne. As a model, she used makeup as a means to cover up and mask her acne, and help her deal with her biggest insecurity—her skin.

She would rarely go bare faced, even around her family. She felt that the photographers and the fashion was what made her look beautiful. She didn’t feel beautiful on her own.  She started learning more about nutrition and skin care, and one day decided to turn her biggest insecurity into her greatest strength. She took her makeup off on camera. Her honesty and vulnerability resonated with people and her video went viral. She now has over 1.5 million YouTube subscribers, with 110 million impressions monthly is across all digital platforms. She is also an esthetician. Growing up, she didn’t have a sibling to ask for skincare advice and is now just that for the Internet—your big sister/skincare expert.

Advice to those just starting out: Being an influencer is not always glamorous and easy. No two days are the same. It’s important to create content around things you are truly passionate about. Bankson had to learn on her own how difficult it would be to learn to be okay with how you look. Most important: Don’t be afraid of change and prepare to be a lifelong learner. 

Skincare must haves: SPF. SPF. SPF. Protecting your skin from sun damage is the best thing you can do to take care of your skin.

Depending on your individual skincare needs, some of Bankson’s favorites include:

• The Inkey List – Salicylic Acid Acne + Pore Cleanser

• The Ordinary - AHA + BHA Peeling Solution

•  Zitsticka - Acne Patches

• She is also big fan of the products from Bubbles Skincare and Acaderma.

Indy/women owned businesses that she’s loving:

• Indie Lee Skincare – a beauty line dedicated to empowering people to live their healthiest life.

• Three Ships Beauty – 100% plant based skincare brand from Canada, and one of Cassandra’s faves.

Makeup routine: Bankson’s makeup routine consists of  SPF (50+), lip balm, cheek tint, and bronzer. Her favorite makeup brands include NYX Cosmetics and Colorescience. When she does use eyeshadow, she loves the Christen Dominique Latte Palette.

Her inspiration: Charity and philanthropy are what inspires her and makes Bankson feel like her life is worth something. She has always had a passion for animals and children. She gives back and works with many charities including Food for Life, The Eden Project, and Juliana’s Animal Sanctuary.

Bankson’s skincare words of wisdom: So many things that Bankson said stood out to me. One of the most important things we discussed is knowing what products to use that suit your individual needs, wants, and budget. “Use products that work for you, that you enjoy, and that are within your budget,” she says.

It really is that simple. We are constantly bombarded with images and buzz words like “clean beauty” “non-toxic” and “all natural.” Skin care and beauty should be about necessity, accessibility, and enjoyability—not fear. What works for you, may not work for someone else. And that’s okay. Embrace what makes you uniquely you and let go of unrealistic expectations. 

Bankson said it best: “It’s time to take off the filter and put the spotlight on real skin.” My time with Bankson has made me believe in the power of turning your biggest insecurity into your strength. That’s where the magic happens.

Make sure to subscribe to Cassandra’s Bankson’s YouTube channel and follow her on Instagram @cassandrabankson.

Tara KP Troszak is an LA-based lawyer, self-proclaimed cat lady, writer and freelance makeup artist for MAC cosmetics. She lives in the San Fernando Valley with her husband Nick and her cat Chevy. Follow her on Instagram: @makeupbytkp.